Hey Ladies: Thoracic injuries, bras and pain

[Jadis]

Ladies (obviously),

any of you have increased pain about midway through the day from wearing a bra? I wonder if it's level related or size related.

After about 2:00 on, my mid back starts really hurting to the point I actually want to rip the damn thing off. Obviously I can't, since I'm at work...sportsbras hurt too bc of how they cut across my shoulder. I can't wear racerback anything.

Tips?

T4-6, 11-12
38DD

[Princess "Leia"]

Jadis,
Have you been resized lately. Many women wear too small a size, I found out the hard way. Maybe a trip to the department store to also check out the new things going on in bras. (A V-back works quite well instead of a racer back.) I am sure you know there are a gazillion to choose from and its so freaking time consuming.
But seriously, bras are man made and I hate them. It is the last thing I put on before I leave for the day and the first thing I take off when I come home. I have always find them constricting, most especially because of my pain issues and avoided them till the 80's when it became cool to wear the buggers. I say off with the double boulder shoulder holders, screw it, lets burn the bastards like they did in the 60's! Free all MOSOBS......lol.......Pam

[sjean423]

Jadis,

I find the same thing. Added is the fact that the hooks come right at the surgical site. I have experimented with front hooks and sports bras but ir doesn't make much difference. (So I actually doubt the hooks have anything to do with it, just the pressure. I did find going up a band size helps a bit, so Leia may have a good point.

Just wanted to let you know you weren't the only one.

[betheny]

Bra strap hits that funky painful sensation-change line. I hate 'em.

[duge]

Jadis, I say off with the double boulder shoulder holders, screw it, lets burn the bastards like they did in the 60's! Free all MOSOBS......lol.......Pam


All right ladies! start a revolution :mega: :D

[Broknwing]

Sis-
Pam hit on a good point, you may neeed to go in and have a proper sizing done....You may be wearing the wrong size, which would contribute to the pain it's causing you. I've had TONS less shoulder and neck probs since I got my new bras while I was on my trip in March...My beanie brain can't remember what department stores you have, but Dillards, Nordstroms, and Macy's are some of the best to have measure you...

Honestly, your size is contributing to your pain too....(take it from your overly endowed sis ;) ) I've had back pain since I was 14...BUT finding a bra with the proper suport will help aleviate this b/c it will disperse the weight properly.

One thing that helps mom b/c her back is sensitive from fibromyalgia, is to put the cloth medical tape(we buy the stuff that's pre-perforated) over the back of her bra where it hooks together. This is the only way that she can tolerate wearing bras. She gets pain in her back where her bra hits b/c of the fibromyalgia....very frustrating, but could be a similar electrical misfiring per-say of your nerves reacting to the stimulus of your bra just being there...

[Jadis]

yeah, I figured size was. I am not spilling out of the DD anymore like I used to, so I know I am losing weight. Also tried setting it on different hooks, but no luck. I agree with Beth, they hit smack where my injury is on top of everything else --- sooo painful.

i yank it off as soon as i get home and don't wear one around the house.

PS we don't have any of the stores you named. LOL We have JCP and Herbergers.

[spidergirl]

Ladies (obviously),

any of you have increased pain about midway through the day from wearing a bra? I wonder if it's level related or size related.

After about 2:00 on, my mid back starts really hurting to the point I actually want to rip the damn thing off. Obviously I can't, since I'm at work...sportsbras hurt too bc of how they cut across my shoulder. I can't wear racerback anything.

Tips?

T4-6, 11-12
38DD

LOL at rip the damn thing off- there's a new bra that Victoria Secrets offer- thats really soft and comfortable and allows them to shape at the same time- it's in their new collection. It's about $50 but its worth it. Soft is the key. I'm a 34C.. T6

[Jadis]

Cool, I tend to stick with underwires -- without them, i fall out the bottom. I also need a thicker style cup to cover piercings (bandaids just don't cut it).

[keps]

Before my injury, I found bras horrible to wear - they always felt like they were squeezing my ribs (it was the bit that goes under the bust I hated)
Now the under bust is paralyzed, and so bras are not uncomfortable anymore - yay.

I have no pain issues with wearing bras, fortunately. I always wear underwired (which I avoided before injury) as they are the most supportive.

I have a "weird" sensation patch of skin on my chest, which I hate to touch, but that's above the bra level. Yay for me, again.:)

[Lizbv]

its likely you need fitted. The brand http://www.maidenform.com/home.jsp is a great fit imo

[amanda]

I think this is the bra you're talking about.
http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=UU-198684&page=1&cgname=OSBRPEMBZZZ&rfnbr=3076

I absolutely love it. it's underwire. but, it is as seamless as it can be and sooooo comfortable around my ribs and back. I'm a wittle A cup so, I don't have any probs lugging them around. but, my sister-in-law is pregnant right now with huge sensitive boobs. she loves this bra. my mom had a lung tube and bad shoulder problems(after a motorcycle wreck. two months b/f my accident :/ ). she has such a problem with bras irritating the hell out of her. she's a C and loves this bra.

simply some personal hype on this bra!

[davesgirl aka anty]

I buy the sport bras but i buy them bigger so they wont cut into me. Seems to work did you ever try the champion brand you can find them on line. :) anty

[queen]

I wore "over the {{{shoulder boulder-holders}}} or a {{{tit-sling}}} as my beloved Bette Midler calls them for years except during the "hippie" days.

After my surgery tho, I couldn't stand anything touching my scar which runs from just below my left shoulder blade in a C fashion down into my left cheek. Even today, I only don one for special occasions, just to darn irritating.

I don't know how you fuller-sized gals do it, my gf had rigdes
an inch deep in her shoulders even with those padded inserts which are suppose to help.,but don't....

So what if it looks like 'two pups under a blanket'...at least we're comfortable.

[Jadis]

LOL, I love you, Queen... you just have such a way with words.

I cannot go without one. I'm just too large. Me without a bra on reminds me of the trailer park mamas in mumus :vomit: :nono:

I have done the silicone pads under the straps, but they don't work for me either. The way my shoulders are shaped, they just don't stay put.

I have one sportsbra that I like by Spalding, but can't find them anymore or I would buy several. The only problem is with the size of my chest I end up with monoboob. To get teh ultimate support, I wear two sportsbras or a sportsbra over the regular bra. I also have a huge ribcage. I don't look dainty in strapless dresses and never did even when I was skinny. I always looked like a bulldozer.

I have the strappy tanks with built-in shelf bra, but the strap going across the back bothers me.

I am still losing weight, so I think it's time for me to look into new bras again. I will check out the recommendations you have made -thank you all!

[Emi2]

Yup get fitted! I used to werar DD (because thats as big as they come in Department Stores) and had pain, boob spillage etc. then I got fitted before my wedding an found out I'm actually a G! A properly fitted bra resolved the pain, spillage and it looks way better - except now bras cost at least $100.00!

[jadedcowgirl]

Jadis,
I hear ya the pain sucks, especially when you have an insion within the bra line. Anyway, JCP does fittings. Hope everything works out.

[loco]

I don't have any problems although I find my bras do tend to dig into my ribcage. My friend who has arthritis has a lot of pain with her bras although they were properly fitted, her shoulders and back really hurt by the end of the day sometimes and it can feel like its hard to breathe. She wears unwired bras but is a f cup. Maybe Sci or other medical conditions just annoy a pre-existing problem due to bulid or posture?

[davesgirl aka anty]

Ialways had back problems because of my chest. I want to have a breast reduction done. After 2 kids i need it lol, I told my nero DR. that this is what is stopping me from walking i keep on falling over because of my chest. Do you think insurance will cover my problem. :D By the way jadis just my size.com on line they have great bras. :) anty

[Jadis]

thanks!

yes, I haven't made it any further than just complaining about it. I spent the second half of the day pulling my lower half of my bra outta my ribcage. I swear it felt like i was being cut in half. Soon as I got home that thing ended up on the floor. I realize part of the problem was the sports bra I was wearing over my regular bra, but daggone they're heavy.

As for insurance paying for a reduction. When my aunt was rear-ended in her auto accident, the doc stated that she would not heal adequately without a reduction. her ins paid for it.

[queen]

I would think you could find a "doc" sympathic to your volume and it's
detrimental impact with now having SCI.

With your now weakened muscles, the very act of transfering or sitting upright is undermined, not to mention the potential deformity to your spine because you slump and how this will be extremely unhealthy medical factor as you age. Q

[Jeannette]

Bras kill me - my ribs, back and everything else. I did find one that's really soft and stretch all over, though. It's great and insanely cheap besides. I have like four of them, one smaller than the rest for days when I'm actually NOT bloated for a change. ;)

If this link doesn't work, there are directions to find it below:

http://www.blair.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=BlairCorp&prnbr=44648&pcats=87616%2C87669%2C87673&productId=30817&categoryId=87673&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&ddkey=PCNSearch


Go to www.blair.com and search for either "leisure bra" (it's the body naturals stretch bra for 7.99) or product number 44648

I'm an F cup - although after reading this thread, I'm now thinking a bit more about a breast reduction... It never occurred to me that it might be even further detrimental to my back....